The Apprentice on the BBC returned for its final episode last night after the 2023 candidates worked their way through the difficult challenges set each week by Lord Alan Sugar amid his search to find his new recruit, and fans who missed the show are wondering who left The Apprentice last night and who wins The Apprentice 2023?
Lord Sugar tests the nerves and brains of the hungriest hopefuls in the business world but after another week of sweat and tears, someone has to go and it's down to the boss himself to choose who will win a six-figure salary job as his apprentice.
While some wonder when is The Apprentice on next and where is The Apprentice house, we look to see if your favourite Apprentice candidate is still in with the chance of winning. While not all the candidates who leave are fired by Lord Sugar, as was the cast with the reason why Reece left The Apprentice, let's see who has been dropped from the show...
Who left The Apprentice last night?
Rochelle Anthony left The Apprentice last night after she failed to impress Lord Alan Sugar with her final pitch of the series.
Lord Sugar's aides, Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell, shared their thoughts on the two finalists before the winner was announced.
Of Ms Swindells, Baroness Brady said, "Marnie, she has never run a business before, and she's chosen a business that's very competitive - can she stand out in this very competitive market?"
Meanwhile, Mr Campbell advocated for the boxing gym owner, as he said, "That being said, for an ambassador for a boxing facility, there is no-one better I would think than Marnie and what she stands for."
Sir Lord Alan Sugar made the firing of the 35-year-old Bedfordshire hair salon owner.
Following her exit, Rochelle later shared on Instagram, "ITS A WRAP!!! My Apprentice journey has come to an end!! I am RUNNER UP!! Out of the thousands of people who applied, I fought my way to the FINAL 2! So For that I am forever proud! I don’t even know how to put in to words, the journey, I’ve been on for the past year. I’ve met friends for life, learnt incredible skills, and ticked off some real bucket list moments."
She continued, "I may not have got the investment to take The Dolls House MK to the next level. But it's been thriving since the show. And for that, I am forever grateful.
I did it for any WOMAN, and especially women of colour, who was ever made to feel not enough! We ARE ENOUGH! And we can do whatever we want! I’m glad to have represented women and been a role model!! This is just the beginning and for this I feel like a winner!"
Before going on to thank the team and congratulate the winner Marnie.
Who wins The Apprentice 2023?
Sir Lord Alan Sugar decided to hire Marnie, making her the winner of The Apprentice 2023 and £250,000 investment along with the partnership.
Sir Lord Sugar said he wanted to "try a new horizon" with her community-focused boxing gym. He said it was "something which is completely alien to me to be honest and you've never run a business before".
And following her win Ms Swindells, from Oldham, said she was "so happy" she would be going into business with Lord Sugar on her gym, called BRONX.
Afterwards she told her Instagram followers, "I've been wracking my brains wondering what to write. What CAN you write when one of the biggest names in business just chose YOU to be his business partner. I'm nothing but a 28 year old girl with a taste for hard work and some big dreams just trying to make a life for herself different from the one she knew.
"I have so much to say, but at the same time, I'm speechless. I feel empowered, but overwhelmed. Confident and terrified in equal measure. All the lines are blurred right now, but if there is one thing I can say with absolute clarity it's this:
She continued, "There is NOTHING in this life that is off limits. No room you cannot enter, no wall to high and no door you can't knock down if you just bang hard enough."
And went on to thank Lord Sugar for the opportunity.
Who has left The Apprentice so far?
The following candidates have left Season 17 of The Apprentice 2023 after being unsuccessful in their journey to be crowned winner:
- Week 1 - Emma Browne
- Week 2 - Shannon Martin quit before the firing
- Week 3 - Gregory Ebbs
- Week 4 - Denisha Kaur Bharj
- Week 5 - Shazia Hussain
- Week 6 - Reece Donnelly left due to his health and Joe Phillips was fired
- Week 7 - Sohail Chowdhary
- Week 8 - Mark Moseley
- Week 9 - Bradley Johnson and Avi Sharma
- Week 10 - Simba Rwambiwa
- Week 11 - Victoria Goulbourne, Dani Donovan and Megan Hornby
- Week 12: Rochelle Anthony
Who won The Apprentice 2022?
Harpreet Kaur from West Yorkshire won The Apprentice 2022. For the final, the 30-year-old dessert parlour owner was up against fellow contestant Kathryn Louise Burn, 29, from Swindon who owns an online pyjama store but she won over Lord Alan Sugar at the last hurdle to secure the £250,000 investment for her sweet treat business Oh So Yum!
On making his decision, Lord sugar said, "It is a very, very difficult situation for me… Harpreet I’m not sure whether this business is scalable or whether you are trying to do too much and that’s what I’m worried about at the moment.
"Kathryn, I’m concerned on the longevity of it, and the popularity of it, it’s very hard, this is difficult for me…"He went on, and shared of his decision: "A lot of the companies that I invest in are a start from scratch situation, basically what Kathryn is proposing, so ladies, I think that I’ve decided now…
"Harpreet, you’re going to be my business partner."
The Apprentice congratulated their season winner, it posted, "HUGE congrats to @Lord_Sugar's newest business partner Harpreet! 🙌 Things are about to get even sweeter for Oh So Yum! 🍰."
Speaking about her victory, Harpreet posted on Instagram, "Introducing @Lord_Sugar latest business partner….ME!🎉 Lost for words that I’ve won the @apprenticeuk but I’m so excited for this new chapter with @ohsoyum__ 🙌🏼 Thank you to everyone who showed their support! Celebrate with me by ordering using the link in my bio💜"
Having previously described herself as a born leader, fearless and funny, Harpreet's and her plan to “level up” her successful, six-figure coffee and cakes business to become a leading brand in the UK is one huge step closer to becoming a reality.
Her family and friends threw a celebration party where they could be seen dancing to Bhangra music.
You can watch her journey to winner below...
If you missed an episode of The Apprentice 2023, you can watch the episodes on BBC iPlayer or tune in next Thursday at 9pm for the FINAL.
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